Clutch mechanism



July 7, 1936. R. P. LANSING CLUTCH MECHANISM Filed May 20, 1931 INVENTOR. Raymond P Lana/r77 BY WW ATTOR EYS Patented July 7, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE cw'rcn MECHANISM Application May 20, 1931, Serial No. 533,798

2 Claims.

This invention relates to clutch mechanism and znore particularly to a clutch of the centrifugal The object of the invention is to provide a clutch mechanism of the indicated character, em-

bodying the features of novelty pointed out in the following specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawing representing the preferred embodiment of the invention, the limits of the said invention being defined in the appended claims.

In the drawing: Fig. 1 is a transverse sectional view of a device embodying the invention; and Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view along the line of 2-2 of Fig. 1.

The invention is shown as applied to a driving shaft l2 and a driven cylinder or drum ill adapted to be drivably connected to the work element to be actuated, as for example, the inertia member or flywheel of an engine starting mechanism of the inertia type. As shown, the cylindrical surface of the drum is disposed in coaxial relation to the driving shaft l2,- and in position to be engazed by arcuate driving shoes I! and II upon outward movement of the latter from the position indicated in Fig. 2, in response to the centrlfugal action resulting from rotation of driving shaft I2. Suitable means consisting of tension springs I! and I1, connected at their ends to the shoes as indicated in Fig. 1, are provided to hold the shoes normally away from the drum ID.

The pivotal connection between driving shaft i2 and the shoes is preferably effected by rigidly securing to the said shaft (as by forming a double D" thereon, as indicated at I! in Figs. 1 and 2) an annular retaining plate 20 having a channel- 'shaped cross-section providing a circumferential groove for the reception of the inner portions of shoes I; and It, said inner portions being apertured for insertion of pins ll which extend through the outer parallel walls I! and 23 of the retaining plate II, the pins being secured against axial movement by peening the ends thereof, or by other suitable key means.

The operation of the device is as follows: Upon energization of the driving shaft I! the resultant centrifugal force causes an outward move- 5 ment of the shoes l3 and il and a corresponding increase of the tension springs i6 and i1, until the outward movement is sufficient to bring the shoes into engagement with the inner surface of drum l0, thus establishing driving relationship 10 between the driving shaft l2 and the load to be driven. This driving relationship will continue until de-energization of the driving shaft, whereupon springs l6 and i1 become effective to withdraw the shoes from contact with the drum, re- 15 turning them to the disengaged position indicated in Fig. 2.

What is claimed is:

1. In a device of the class described, a driving member, a driven member, a pair of pivot pins 20 rotatable with the driving member, a pair of driving shoes pivotally mounted on said pivot pins, and means comprising a pair of springs each having each end engageable with said shoes to constantly oppose the centrifugal force exerted on 25 said shoes, said shoes having engaging surfaces subtended by chords disposed in parallelism with the plane passing through the axes of said pivot pins.

2. In a device of the class described, a driving 30 member, a driven member, a pair of driving shoes rotatable with said driving member, means for mounting said shoes in position to engage said driven member by the action of centrifugal force upon rotation of said driving member, and means 35 comprising a pair of springs each having each end engageable with said shoes to constantly cppose the centrifugal force exerted on such shoes, said shoes having engaging surface subtended by chords disposed in parallelism with the plane 40 passing through said mounting means.

RAYMOND P. LANSING. 

